8 Divine Intervention (2/2)
”You saved her, from the 'Angel of Death'?” Ayame looked to him, suspiciously, as she got to her feet.
”I thought-” Kloud began, however he was interrupted.
”Grand Master Aoba is going to want to hear about this. Don't even think about trying to get out of whatever punishment he has in store for you. If you do, well, let's just say, the results won't be pretty. Get up.” She scolded him, sternly.
Kloud immediately rose to his feet, and was back handed by the Templar Knightress. He stared to her, with shaken eyes.
”We're leaving. We already wasted too much time, and I'm sure the target has escaped.” She said, climbing onto her dragon, with her Leashed.
”R-Right... my apologizes.... Ayame...” Kloud lowered his head, in shame.
The scene transitions to the man with the Spider tattoo, this 'Angel of Death'. He was out of breath, holding himself up, as he staggered to a nearby stone wall. Blood was dripping from his forehead, as he shakily breathed in pain. Around him was a snow covered village, but no one was out at this time. His sharp blue eyes weakly panned to the snowflakes falling from sky. He gritted his fangs, as he watched defensively. The sound of wings were heard, where he could barely make out Nye and Ashe soaring, from not too far off. He shuffled into a dank alleyway, observing them as they landed.
Nye's feet crunched in the snow, as her eyes peered around. Ashe was right behind her, crossing his arms. ”So, you think that Dream Weaver's hiding here in Artiren?”
”Aye. I suspect so, being how it's one of the few villages here in the Demonica region.” Nye replied.
”Shelter. I see.” Ashe remarked.
The mysterious man kept his eyes on them, specifically focused on Nye. The two Amygdala began proceeding further into the village of Artiren.
”Why can't you just leave me alone?...” The man muttered, in irritation.
The Amygdala duo traveled through the village, for hours, but to no avail. They could not locate the wanted man. Ashe stopped behind Nye, as she halted under a lamppost. Moths were gathering at the light of it.
”Nye, I don't think he's here.” Ashe pocketed his hands.
”Appears that way. Perhaps we should return to Knothole for now.” Nye turned off. ”No sense searching any further, if he's not here.” She said, spreading her wings.
”Yeah, I'm sure you got other matters to worry about anyway.” Ashe replied, also forming his wings.
The scene panned, transitioning to the floating isle of the Skyworld. It focused to the Inside part of the castle, that rested in the center of the massive rock formation. Ayame was guiding Kloud with her, through the passageways of the structure. Elliot kept close behind them, and remained silent.
”This will be your first time, meeting the Grand master in person, wouldn't it?” Ayame peers over to Kloud.
He nods timidly. ”I-Indeed...”
”Word of caution, don't speak, unless addressed. You're already treading on fairly thin ice, after that last encounter.” Ayame went on.
”Whatever you say... Ayame...” Kloud looked off, nervously.
They approached very large doors, where two Templar knights were positioned to either side. As the three approached, Elliot waited outside, while Ayame and Kloud were let through. The knights held the doors open, as the duo progressed inside the main hall. It was lit with candles, as they crossed the red carpet, up to the throne. Sitting in it, with his legs crossed, and one hand's fingers under his chin, was a very handsome man. He had light blue hair, with gleeful heterocromia eyes. He had on a a rather unusual crown, that resembled wings on the sides of his temples. His green armored coat also was decorated with fancy detailing, as well as crystals that were attached to the hip of his attire.
Sitting by his feet, was a female leashed with pink hair. She looked like a hybrid of sorts. Her long ears went back, as she stared, timidly to the approaching Rhyme. The man placed his hand to her head, smiling to them.
”Grand Master Aoba.” Ayame greeted, taking a knee with a bow, and her right fist to her chest. Kloud did the same, but more nervously.
Aoba stared to them, with a whimsical smile on his face. ”Greetings to both of you. To what may I ask, do I owe the pleasure?” He smiled, leaning to his hand, playfully.
Ayame stood to her feet, looking to the Grand master. ”While pursuing the 'Angel of Death', we lost a lot more of our men. However, Kloud encountered a female Amygdala, in the process of chasing him down. It was the same one, that I previously informed you about.”
”Oh? The one with the Leashed?” Aoba seemed intrigued.
”Correct, your grace.” Ayame confirmed.
”How peculiar. Kloud, was it?” Aoba peered over, with a sly expression. ”Do tell me how things played out. I quite enjoy tales of valor.”
The ginger haired Rhyme stumbled a bit, nervously. ”Well, uh... She was fighting that 'Angel of Death' fellow... I sorta stepped in, and defended her, not aware she was... well... an Amygdala. She had a sword to my neck, and made me run. She was almost as terrifying as that wanted man.”
”How interesting, the more I hear of this woman, the more I want to meet her.” Aoba seemed amused, rather than angry. His leashed peered up to him, in confusion. ”It's fascinating really, how such a woman breaks so many rules, and yet gets away without a hitch. Don't you agree, Hitomi?”
Her eyes peered up to him, she had a gentle look to her. ”Kyu.” She nodded, shyly.
”You're not going to punish him, for fleeing a top priority criminal!? He could be a turn coat, working with them!” Ayame gasped, in astonishment. Her tone sounded irritated.
”You misunderstand, Knight of the Wind. He's not off the hook so easily, now are you, Kloud?” Aoba turned his soft grin to Kloud, who gulped. ”I shall give you one chance to prove you are with us, and worthy of the title of 'Templar'. I am a most benevolent ruler, after all.”
”W-What would you have me do, Grand Master...?” Kloud inquired, softly.
”I want you to locate this female Amygdala, and bring her to me. Do not take 'no' for an answer. Understand?” Aoba insisted.
”Whatever you desire, your grace.” Kloud bowed his head. He was sweating nervously.
”That a boy. Don't keep me waiting now. Hee hee.” The Grand Master smiled, stroking the head of Hitomi.
The scene transitioned to the city of Belmont, Nye was perched on top of the highest structure's edge; the clock tower. She was once again jotting down details, with a quill, into her notebook.She seemed to have sketches on the pages, with the notes she was making. This particular entry was on Dream Weavers, with a drawing of the man with the spider tattoo beside it. Her hood was over her head, as she stroked the quill along the pages.
Behind her, brown boots landed to the surface of the clock tower. White feathers fluttered from the impact of the person landing. Nye kept her back turned, but her eyes trailed to the side, boredly. Approaching from her rear, was Kloud, his angel wings still exposed, with the rising sun behind him.
”I'm not sure how you found me. However, events have led you here. If I were you, I wouldn't be so quick to temp fate as such, pretentious little Templar.” Nye stated, with a sardonic tone.
”S-Shut up... I'm not here for trouble.” He spoke softly as he looked off, nervously. Kloud's movement ceased, as he stared to her, with an unnerved expression. ”... Forgive the intrusion, but... the Grand master beckons to meet with you...”
”How many times must I reiterate? I'm not interested in anything you Templar have to offer. Don't test me, or I'll you'll find out just how sharp my wraith-edge truly is.” Nye growled, as she shifted to close her notebook.
”If you refuse, I've been asked to take you by force.” Kloud pulled to his swords. ”If you don't cooperate, you know where that leaves you. Wanted, dead or alive. Make it easier on yourself.”
Nye stood to her feet, her back still turned to him. Her head shifted slightly, peering over her shoulder with a bored expression. ”You Templar assemble the masses, to oppress those who have little to no freedoms, and force us into seclusion. Now why would you suppose that is? Whose really the one that's spineless? Your faint hearted forces embark against a single Amygdala in packs. Where's the valor in that?”
Kloud was shaking, as he tightened his grip. He seemed rather fearful, sweat dripping down his face. Without warning, Kloud rushes at Nye, his swords in tow. Nye formed her Wraith-edge, as she turned her body to face the the Rhyme. Taking her chain, she lassoed it around his ankle. Kloud stumbled as he almost reached Nye, however, he was flung away. Skidding across the roof, his boots picked up dust; coming to a halt. Their eyes met, exchanging sharp glares.
”You're not like other Amygdala, are you?” Kloud gritted his teeth.
”You don't even know the half of it.” Nye smirked slightly.
Both instantly spread their wings, diving to the center of the roof. Their blades clashed, however Kloud pushed Nye back with his duel sabers, and struck at her.He slashed vertically, cutting her slightly across the left left side of her chest. Nye's eyes peered to it, in irritation, before they return to Kloud. He staggered his feet, taking another battle stance.He came at Nye, swinging, left, right, left, right, but each strike, she evaded. Her feet slowly reaching to the ledge of the of tower. Another strike came, carving into her left shoulder, through torn cloth.
As Nye reached for the infliction, however, Kloud thrusted his boot into her abdomen; knocking her clear off the roof. Her sword vanished in the shock of it. Nye was falling, her eyes focused on the watching Rhyme, who standing at the edge of the tower. She quickly kicked off the wall, flying higher into the air. Kloud dove off, flying after her like a missile.
Nye spun around; forming her sword once more. Like a jet stream, she flew passed Kloud. A purple haze; shaped like skeletons, plowed into him, as her blade struck. He took the beating, gritting his teeth once again. As Nye's attack ceased, and she had her back turned; Kloud rushed her again. This time his blades cross slashed in her direction. Before the attack could connect; Nye swung around, and kicked both swords from his grasp. The blades fell to the ground, far below them. That didn't stop him though, Kloud flew at her once again. Nye side maneuvered, from his path, smashing the back of her winginto him.
Kloud was struck by the impact, quickly dropping to the surface; as his eyes closed. Nye hovered there, watching the man crash into a nearby bale of hay. It wasn't too far off from the swords that hit the ground. She continued to float there, wincing as she grabbed her shoulder, that was wounded. ”Blighted Templar.” She muttered weakly, before quickly flying off to a nearby entrance, towards the under city of Wynorex. She left Kloud to lay there, wounds perhaps festering.